This week Jason Reid chews the fat, transatlantic style, with the iconic performance artist, Joey Arias, direct from New York…
Lovely to talk with you Joey. Let’s start back in the early days of your career, when you met and became good friends with musician, Klaus Nomi…
Yes, I was introduced to Klaus through a friend in NYC, and I instantly thought ‘what an strange and interesting looking guy’. Anyway, we became very good friends, and even lived together for a time.
And this friendship led you down an interesting path in 1979, when you appeared on Saturday Night Live, as backing singers for David Bowie. How did that all happen?
Klaus and I were in the Mudd Club one night and David had been hanging out in New York. After someone introduced us, it turned out David was a huge fan of Klaus’, so they exchanged numbers. It was then that he asked us if we’d be his backing singers on Saturday Night Live.
That must have been a pretty surreal experience ?
Sure. We rehearsed solidly for a week – eighteen hours a day. We hung out, talked about our lives. David was very curious about Klaus, about me, about himself. Why were his eyes blue? That kind of thing.
How much of an influence was Klaus on your life?
Klaus and I both inspired each other. I offered him certain things and vice versa. We were like ying and yang.
What connected you both?
Primarily, music. But also food, sex, fashion, books history. So many things. We talked all the time.
There was talk of a film being made, based around yours and Klaus’s life. Is that still in the pipeline?
Yes it is. Alan Cumming showed some interest in playing Klaus, and I think he’d be great. He has the same attitude, look in his eyes and height. And the plan was for my my partner to play me. It would be the REAL story. But it’s on the back burner for now.
You came into your own as an artist in the 80’s, at a time when there was a lot going on, on the NYC scene, right?
Yeah. It was kinda weird, because it started with our appearance on Saturday Night Live. Our whole lives, and the art world, had changed; everyone was celebrating and having fun. But then juxtaposing that, AIDS was eating everyone alive. So as well as celebrating, you were forever crying. New York started to change somewhat. Knowing you could still have fun and be sexy without swallowing a whole load of cock, all these new dance parties began and people like Leigh Bowery emerged. But the epidemic continued. And sadly that’s how we lost Klaus. We just couldn’t comprehend it all, and what was going on.
That must have been a very difficult time in your life?
Absolutely. Everyone was trying to cope and move ahead. But after a while you just couldn’t cry anymore. It was all so unbelievable. People you were sharing the stage with were gone. This should be happening to you in your late eighties, not in your twenties.
Let’s move on and talk about that very distinctive voice of yours. And especially your ability to channel Billie Holiday. How did that all start?
As a child we had a lot of music around us, and I just loved Billie Holiday’s albums. Especially her beautiful tone. Growing up, I realised I had that same timbre in my voice. For me it’s always about channelling a feeling, not imitating. Anyone can mouth a song and imitate an artist, but I try to evoke the feelings that Billie did.
Will will be hearing Billie here in London?
Well of course, baby. [spoken in Billie Holiday voice]
What else can we expect?
I’m looking forward to doing some original material with my pianist. There will, of course, be a few surprises.
Is London one of your favourite cities?
Well of course, I love London.
[laughs] I thought you’d say that…
Honestly [laughs] London makes everything swing, honey. I’m always very nervous coming there, though, because they know their music. There’s no bullshiting.
The New York Times recently said that you “…make Lady Gaga look like Greta Van Sustern”. What is your opinion of Lady Gaga’s artistry?
[laughs] Lady Gaga has an amazing voice and is an amazing songwriter. It’s interesting because about three or four years ago she said her inspirations were Madonna, David Bowie, Grace Jones, Klaus Nomi, Joey Arias and Leigh Bowery. It’s great that she said that. And you know, you’ve gotta appreciate what is now. We know she followed everybody, but why pick on her for it?
Would you ever collaborate with her?
Sure, why not. I was supposed to collaborate with Madonna back in the late 90’s, for a movie. But sadly it leaked and the press found out at the last minute.
You’re often referred to as an icon/legend. What do you make of that?
I laugh when I hear that.
Why?
Well, because you know, I still feel like I’m twenty years old. And I’m still exploring, with a whole world of new projects ahead of me. But I respect it, and I do love it. I guess I work hard enough to constantly improve myself. So I graciously accept it.
Finally Joey, if you could only read one book, listen to one album and watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would they be?
Hmmmm, that’s tricky. Okay, the film would be The Ten Commandments – directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The album would be Billie Holiday – Lady in Satin. And the book would be Wishing on the Moon – The Life and Times of Billie Holiday.
Joey Arias performs from Thursday 3rd to Saturday 12th October in the Soho Theatre Downstairs at 9.30pm.
